Chozhanar

Chozhanars or Pichavaram Cholas

Chozhanars are vanniyar polegars who live in the pichavaram region near chidambaram. They are considered to be the descendants of the erstwhile imperial Chola emperors.^[1] Canmukam Meyyappan in his book "Chidambaram Golden Temple" observes "It was customary for the Chola Kings to have their anointing in the Panchakshara steps and be crowned in the 1 000 pillared Hall. ln observance of that, the crowning of Pichavaram Andiappa Chola, a descendent of those Chola monarchs"

Edgar Thurston in his book "Castes and Tribes of South India" notes "A curious ceremony is even now celebrated at the chidambaram temple, on the steps leading to the central sanctuary. As soon as the eldest son of this family is married, he and his wife, accompanied by a local vellala, repair to the sacred shrine and there, amidst crowds of their castement and other, a homam is raised and offerings are made to it. The couple are then anointed with nine different kinds of holy water, and the Vellala places the temple crown on their heads."

References

^[2]

1. ^ Meyyappan, Canmukam (1992). Chidambaram Golden Temple. Manivasagar Pathippagam. 
2. ^ Meyyappan, Canmukam (1992). Chidambaram Golden Temple. Manivasagar Pathippagam.